The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-02-14
Prison Investigations.

70 the Editor Of the India NJ pols Journal.
Our Legislature, in its combined wisdom, has
decided to investigate our State prisons and as
certain how they are conducted, and whether
there are any abuses in the management of these
State institutions. Unless these investigations
are more thorough and searching than heretofore
good will result to the State, and useless ex-
pendture of the States money will be made.
We have very distinct remembrance of an in
vestigation made at the southern prison few
years since. Many serious charges had been
made against the management of this
institution, such as cruelty to prisoners, great
extravaganza in expenditures, &c. 1t may be
that all these charges were not true, but great
many people who were very we'll posted in regard
to prison affairs were satisfied of their truth,
and that there was great need, indeed an urgent
demand for reform. Well, to satisfy this de-
mand the Legislature appointed committee to
investigate. Now observe the result The prison
officials, knowing this investigation would be
made, were sharp and shrewd enough to
adopt measures that would be sure to
forestall any damaging evidence being brought
against them but to secure report beautifully
withdrawing their official management. Did
they succeed in this9 Well they did, and to
their full satisfaction. How, do you ask The
prison officials were at Indianapolis long before
the Legislature took action in the matter and.
being jolly good set of fellows very liberal and
sociable, good judges of fine liquors and cigars
frequepters of the theaters and other places of
amusement, and able to take hand in a game
of cards, they soon got acquainted with
many members of the Legislature-and wined
them, dined them, took them to the theaters-
in short treated them right royalty and thor
oughly convinced the honorable lawmakers that
they, the prison officials, were a much-abused
set OF public officials in ever being charged with
anything wrong in their management of these
institutions. The committee is sent down to
Jacksonville, and when the members arrive
they find the place "swept and garnished"-all
presenting nice appearance-in fact, fixed up
for the occasion.
There is always a stock of good liquors, and
plenty of good ''old appeiack" Ia favorite bever
age at this institution, which is free to any
member of the investigating committee that has
a weakness for such drinks. Then it is but q
short distance over to Louisville, and there are
large theaters there and fine hotels, and they gel
| up good suppers and banquets, and mine host il
| very liberal and very hospitable, and how could
| the committee help being very favorably i'm
| pressed with such kind ard disinterested treat
ment2 How could the COMMITTEES sustain any
| charge against such good fellowsa
No. it can't be done in the usual way of inves
| tigatng, as conducted heretofore--the irvesti
| CATION doesn't investigate 1t is we'll known tina
contractors for supplies for prison use make
| large profits on inferior or damaged provisions
| and it is big job for the contractor and he will
| declare it is swindle and an outrage on tn,
| State; but then he says some one will get th
| job, and may as well have it as any one else
| How to get to the bottom of these matters will
requirs q very thorough and searching investi
| cation.
HENaYvILLE, Feb IL.